Spacer for holding pipette tip carriers, which are stacked one over the other, spaced apart

Abstract

A spacer structured to support and space apart substantially rectangular panel-shaped pipette tip carriers from each other includes a frame defined by a substantially rectangular lateral wall including two longitudinal sides and two transverse sides. The frame includes a horizontal standing surface positioned on a lower edge of the frame and structured to rest on an upper face of a first pipette tip carrier. The frame further includes a horizontal support surface positioned on an upper edge of the frame and structured to support a lower face of a second pipette tip carrier and a plurality of pins protruding vertically upwards from the upper edge. A plurality of bending elements are positioned on the lateral wall and are structured to be bent in a direction running at an acute angle to adjacent longitudinal and transverse sides.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A spacer configured to hold and space apart substantially rectangular panel-shaped pipette tip carriers which are stacked one over another, comprising:
 a frame defined by a substantially rectangular lateral wall comprising two longitudinal sides and two transverse sides, wherein the frame comprises,
 a horizontal standing surface positioned on a lower edge of the frame and configured to rest on an upper face of a first pipette tip carrier, 
 a horizontal support surface positioned on an upper edge of the frame and configured to support a lower face of a second pipette tip carrier, 
 a plurality of pins protruding vertically upwards from the upper edge, and 
 a plurality of bending elements positioned on the lateral wall and configured to be bent in a direction running at an acute angle to adjacent longitudinal and transverse sides. 
   
     
     
         20 . The spacer according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of bending elements are configured to be bent by pins of an additional spacer of identical configuration and inserted from below. 
     
     
         21 . The spacer according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of bending elements are configured to be bent by radii at the corners between adjacent longitudinal and transverse sides of the pipette tip carrier supported on a support surface of an additional spacer of identical configuration and inserted from below. 
     
     
         22 . The spacer according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of bending elements are positioned at at least two diametrically opposite corners of the frame. 
     
     
         23 . The spacer according to  claim 21 , wherein the lateral wall is connected to an inwardly projecting peripheral flange comprising an upper face, and wherein the support surface is defined on the upper face. 
     
     
         24 . The spacer according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of bending elements each comprise vertical cylindrical shells connected to the frame. 
     
     
         25 . The spacer according to  claim 24 , wherein the cylindrical shells each comprise at least one of:
 (i) two vertical edges arranged symmetrically relative to a corner of the frame;   (ii) a circular arc-shaped lower edge arranged at or above a level of a standing surface;   (iii) an insertion stop positioned on an inside of the circular arc-shaped lower edge;   (iv) a connection positioned at the upper end and configured to connect to the lower face of a flange; and   (v) a connection to the frame positioned at upper sections of two vertical side edges.   
     
     
         26 . The spacer according to  claim 19 , the plurality of bending elements are positioned at corners of the frame and each comprise each comprise at least one vertical slot proceeding from the lower edge of the lateral wall and below the upper edge in the lateral wall. 
     
     
         27 . The spacer according to  claim 26 , wherein the at least one vertical slot extends from an inside to an outside of the lateral wall. 
     
     
         28 . The spacer according to  claim 26 , further comprising two vertical slots at each corner. 
     
     
         29 . The spacer according to  claim 28 , wherein the two vertical slots are each arranged symmetrically relative to each corner. 
     
     
         30 . The spacer according to  claim 27 , wherein only one vertical slot is arranged at each corner. 
     
     
         31 . The spacer according to  claim 29 , further comprising one or more horizontal slots positioned at each corner of the lateral wall, wherein each of the one or more horizontal slots extends from the corner into two adjacent regions of the lateral wall, and the two vertical slots each open at a top into the horizontal slot at the same corner. 
     
     
         32 . The spacer according to  claim 19 , wherein the lateral wall further comprises at least one of:
 (i) an inner radius on an inner side at each corner; and (ii) an outer radius on an outer side at each corner.   
     
     
         33 . The spacer according to  claim 19 , wherein the lateral wall comprises an inner radius on an inner side of each corner that is at least equal to a radius of the plurality of pins. 
     
     
         34 . The spacer according to  claim 19 , comprising at least one of:
 (i) a recess defined in the upper edge of the frame at each corner;   (ii) each of the plurality of pins projects vertically upwards from a base surface of the recess;   (iii) each of the plurality of pins tapers towards an upper end;   (iv) each of the pins comprises a conical base at a lower end;   (v) downwardly projecting steps positioned on the lower edge of the frame which forms at least part of the standing surface;   (vi) wherein the spacer comprises one or more plastics;   (vii) wherein the spacer comprises at least one of polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, and polystyrene; and   (viii) wherein the spacer is manufactured from one or more plastics using an injection molding process.   
     
     
         35 . A transport unit for pipette tips comprising:
 a pipette tip box;   a pipette tip carrier placed on the pipette tip box and provided with pipette tips; and   at least a spacer according to  claim 19 ; and   an additional pipette tip carrier placed on the spacer and provided with pipette tips.   
     
     
         36 . The transport unit according to  claim 35 , further comprising a cover configured to be placed on the pipette tip carrier or on the spacer. 
     
     
         37 . A transport unit for pipette tips comprising a stack of three or more pipette tip carriers provided with pipette tips and each spaced apart from each other by a spacer according to  claim 19 .